Cranford Committee members urge vigilance in county college sports field dispute

CRANFORD — Continuing the theme of vigilance, Township Committee members again urged residents to continue keeping a watchful eye for any construction-related activity on the Union County College campus in Cranford.

Despite a recent decision by college officials to postpone a plan to build an athletic field with a running track and bleachers on a wooded 4.3-acre area along Gallows Hill Road, some town residents remain wary.

Most worrisome to nearby homeowners is the fear that increased flooding, in a town already highly susceptible to flooding, may occur, which could mean a negative impact on their property values.

At the April 22 Township Committee meeting, several committee members used their allotted time for comments to talk about a possible resumption by the college to build the athletic field and track.

“This project is not vital to the school’s survival. It would be something nice to have,” said Township Committeeman Robert D'Ambola.

It is kind of "ironic," he said, that Arbor Day is being celebrated on April 25, yet there are still markings on trees designated for removal in the 4.3-acre area, even though college officials said they would be investigating the county parks system for alternative sites for soccer, lacrosse, and track and field athletes to practice and compete.

D'Ambola described the postponement of the field project at the Cranford campus as a "temporary political pause" on the part college officials "until they regroup."

The committeeman urged residents to keep contacting members of the Union County Freeholders Board and the college's Board of Trustees and say they oppose any resumption of the project.

Committeeman Tom Hannen said he thinks Union County College may not have immunity from local zoning ordinances to essentially construct whatever they please, as do state colleges and universities. The immunity may not apply, he said, because the college is financed with a combination of Union County taxes and state tax money, and may not be categorized as a state school.